30 January 2026
The third annual Clifton T20 Tournament, scheduled for 13-15 February, has very quickly become a highlight of the South African school cricket calendar, and the 2026 edition promises to raise the bar yet again.
What began as a bold, celebratory initiative during Clifton‘s centenary year has evolved into a vibrant, high-energy showcase that brings together the very best of KwaZulu-Natal school cricket, with a dash of national and international flavour added for good measure.
The tournament features KZN’s top 10 cricket-playing schools, alongside Hoërskool Waterkloof and Zimbabwean powerhouse St John’s College (Harare).
The expansion of the event continues in exciting fashion, with primary school matches, now woven into the programme, further enhancing the festival atmosphere and underlining Clifton’s commitment to growing the game at every level.
All matches played on the Crusaders Main Oval – the beating heart of the tournament – will be broadcast live on DStv Channel 216, with additional coverage streamed on SuperSport Schools.
In a particularly special touch, the primary school fixtures, scheduled between the high school games, will also be broadcast live. Clad in coloured playing kits and performing on a televised stage, the youngest participants will enjoy a cricketing experience they are unlikely to forget.
Trying to predict outcomes in T20 cricket is risky at the best of times, but attempting to call the 2026 Clifton T20 in advance would be downright reckless. That unpredictability, however, is exactly what makes the tournament so compelling.
Pool A sees Clifton College grouped with Hilton College, Kearsney College and St John’s College (Harare).
The hosts have been in good form in the W100 competition this season, where they have already beaten heavyweights Durban High School (DHS) and Westville Boys’ High – the latter having won the competition five times in a row.
Captain Shiraz Perumal has led from the front, showcasing his all-round quality. Known primarily for his excellence with the ball in 2025, Perumal has started the new season in blistering batting form, scoring 111 runs and being dismissed just once in three innings, while embracing the leadership role.
Hilton College heads into the tournament fresh off winning the KZN Regional Final of the Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two competition. After a frustratingly inconsistent 2025, the Midlands outfit looks far more settled this season.
Their bowling attack has been a major weapon, with Sechaba Gude and Sange Qangule impressing with the new ball, and strong support coming from Obakeng Motsepa, Sean Burman, Luke Wilson and Benoit Rey.
Captain Robert Burman has led by example with the bat, while Barack Munawa and Ben Wilson have formed a reliable opening partnership.
Kearsney College, meanwhile, appear to have found their groove after a slow start at the Grey High Festival. A recent emphatic W100 victory over Glenwood underlined their potential, with wicketkeeper-batsman Asher Hollister and leg-spinning all-rounder Rivaan Moodley standing out as key figures in a well-balanced side.
St John’s College (Harare) adds intrigue. While unfamiliar to many South African supporters, they are serial winners in Zimbabwe. They beat Maritzburg College, Kearsney and Clifton on their way to winning the St John’s Rams T20 in 2024, and their presence adds an exciting wildcard element to the pool.
Pool B is stacked with quality. Maritzburg College will be seeking greater batting consistency to complement a strong bowling attack led by Dolphins‘ Khaya Majola Week representative Reece Willson, whose ability to strike early is tailor-made for T20 success.
Northwood, the 2024 KZN Schools SA20 champions, are dangerous on their day, particularly if openers David de Bruyn and Ross McGlashan fire. Watch out, too, for Keegan Reeves, who has been in fine all-round form.
St Charles College arrive with silverware of their own, having lifted The Tuskers Switch Schools SA20 title late last year. Westville Boys’ High, meanwhile, boast enviable depth, with a string of genuine all-rounders, led by captain Kyle McGough, making them a constant threat.
Pool C is headlined by the two-time defending champion, DHS. While they no longer have the raw pace of Bayanda Majola, they remain formidable, thanks largely to prolific batsmen Ismaeel Omar and Josh van Biljon, both of whom struck centuries in last year’s tournament.
Hoërskool Waterkloof are proven T20 specialists, renowned for their fearless, attacking style, while Michaelhouse, a dark horse, and Glenwood round out a group brimming with talent and potential match-winners.
Before attention fully turns to the Clifton T20, the traditional KZN weekend fixtures take centre stage on Saturday, 31 January, with Westville hosting Clifton, St Charles welcoming Maritzburg College, Kearsney facing Northwood, and DHS taking on Hilton.
It all sets the scene for another unforgettable chapter in the Clifton T20 story – a tournament that continues to blend top-class cricket, innovation and community spirit into an exciting spectacle.
FIXTURES
Group A
Friday, 13 February
11:30 – Clifton vs Hilton, Crusaders Main
14:30 – St John’s vs Kearsney, Riverside
Saturday, 14 February
08:30 – Clifton vs St John’s, Crusaders Main
08:30 – Kearsney vs Hilton, Crusaders 2
14:30 – Clifton vs Kearsney, Crusaders Main
14:30 – St John’s vs Hilton, Riverside
Group B
Friday, 13 February
08:30 – Maritzburg College vs St Charles, Crusaders Main
08:30 – Northwood vs Westville, Riverside
14:00 – St Charles vs Northwood, DHS
14:00 – Westville vs Maritzburg College, Northwood
Saturday, 14 February
08:30 – Northwood vs Maritzburg College, Riverside
14:00 – St Charles vs Westville, Northwood
Group C
Friday, 13 February
08:30 – Michaelhouse vs Waterkloof, DHS
08:30 – Glenwood vs DHS, Northwood
14:30 – DHS vs Waterkloof, Crusaders Main
Saturday, 14 February
08:30 – Waterkloof vs Glenwood, DHS
08:30 – DHS vs Michaelhouse, Northwood
14:00 – Glenwood vs Michaelhouse, DHS
Sunday, 15 February
08:30 – Eliminator 1, Crusaders Main
08:30 – Eliminator 2, Crusaders 2
09:00 – 7th place, DHS
09:00 – 9th place, Northwood
09:00 – 11th place, Kingsmead Oval
11:30 – Semi-final 1, Crusaders Main
11:30 – Semi-final 2, Crusaders 2
14:30 – Final, Crusaders Main
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